Serengeti National Park

Designated as a World Heritage Site and Voted the best National Park to visit in Africa more than five years consecutively, the Serengeti is a place of unparalleled beauty teeming with over 2 million ungulates, 500 species of birds and home to the ‘Big Five’. Nothing can prepare you to the spectacular great migration spanning two countries all year round. And finally, the amazing accommodations providing wonderful views of the wildlife all around you.

A Complete Overview

Location and Accessibility

Location: Northern Tanzania
Coordinates: Latitude 2°19′S, Longitude 34°34′E
Size: Approximately 14,750 square kilometers (5,700 square miles)
Accessibility:
- By Road: Serengeti is about an 8-hour drive from Arusha, passing through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
- By Air: Small aircraft flights are available from Arusha, Kilimanjaro, or Zanzibar to airstrips in Serengeti, including Seronera, Grumeti, and Kogatende.

Key Features and Ecosystems

Grasslands and Savannahs
The Serengeti is famous for its open plains that are ideal for game viewing. These areas support vast herds of herbivores and their predators.
Woodlands
Acacia woodlands are interspersed throughout the park, providing shelter for giraffes, elephants, and numerous bird species.
Riverine Areas
The Mara and Grumeti Rivers are crucial for the ecosystem, especially during the annual Great Migration, when they serve as life-sustaining water sources and dramatic crossing points.
Kopjes
These rocky outcrops, scattered across the plains, are a haven for predators like lions and leopards, as well as reptiles and small mammals.
Western Corridor
This region is dominated by black clay soil and is home to the Grumeti River, which attracts crocodiles, hippos, and seasonal wildebeest herds.
Northern Serengeti
The area is less crowded and features lush landscapes, ideal for witnessing the Mara River crossings during the migration.

Activities in Serengeti

Game Drives
Morning, afternoon, or full-day game drives are available, offering close encounters with wildlife.
Hot Air Balloon Safaris
A breathtaking experience that allows visitors to view the Serengeti from above, especially during the migration.
Walking Safaris
Guided walking tours in certain areas of the park provide an intimate look at the flora, fauna, and smaller creatures.
Birdwatching
With over 500 bird species, the Serengeti is a birdwatcher’s paradise.
Cultural Visits
Engage with the local Maasai communities around the park to learn about their culture, traditions, and connection to the Serengeti.

Best Time to Visit

The Serengeti is a year-round destination, but the timing of the visit can affect the experience:

Best for Wildlife: June to October (dry season).

Best for Calving: December to March (wet season).

Migration Crossings: July to August (Grumeti and Mara Rivers).

Accommodations

The Serengeti offers a variety of accommodations to suit all budgets:

Luxury Lodges
Examples: Four Seasons Safari Lodge, Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge.

Tented Camps
Examples: Sayari Camp, Lemala Kuria Hills.

Mobile Camps
Follow the migration: Serengeti Under Canvas, Olakira Camp.

Budget Options
Public campsites and mid-range lodges.

The Great Migration

Welcome to witness one of the most spectacular scenes you’ll ever see in the wild, the migration of millions of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles and elands, as they trek over the Serengeti for water and food in response to changing weather patterns and environmental conditions.

The spectacular and heart-stopping river crossings, as the migration takes on the strong currents of the Mara and Grumeti Rivers. And witness the Giant Nile Crocodiles make their feasts during these crossings.

All these magnificent views can also be experienced with amazing hot-air ballons and cover the Serengeti from a whole different perspective.

Abundance of wildlife

The Serengeti is a vast expanse of plains that provide visitors with sightings of animals with ease. Teeming with large variety of species from lions, hyenas, zebras, elephants and cheetahs to name a few. It is rare to leave the Serengeti without witnessing spectacular animal interactions to take home with you a wonderful experience.

Getting to Serengeti

Fly-in from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK) takes about 45 minutes to fly into one of the seven airstrips in the Serengeti National Park.

Drive-in from Arusha on a 4×4 vehicle takes approximately 8 hours to reach the park. Some itineraries may offer an overnight stay at one of the wildlife accommodations en route.